Posts made in September, 2014

Lower back pain can be irritating, debilitating, or both. From moderate to severe, it can get in the way of enjoying daily physical activities, cancel travel plans, or even leave you stranded in bed for long stretches of time. Most people will experience this pain at one point in their lives or another since its most general cause is simply the weight of the upper body putting pressure on the spine over time. Fortunately, physical therapists have developed several methods to relieve pain and improve mobility, usually broken down into two categories: passive therapy and active therapy. Passive Therapy Passive therapy refers to methods of pain relief and reduction that are performed on the patient, anything where the patient remains passive. The most common of these methods is simply the application of heat and cold. Most of the time the application of heat, cold, or an alteration between the two for a certain amount of time is a great way to relieve muscle tension and spasms. For the most acute episodes pain, deep heat can be applied under the skin to the soft tissue through the use of an ultrasound machine. Another machine that helps in the passive therapy of pain is a TENS Unit. These small machines send electrical impulses to stimulate the nerves in the lower back. For many people this mild form of electrotherapy provides significant relief that they can use in their own homes. One of the other forms of passive therapy that also uses electricity and helps to alleviate inflammation is lontophoresis. This process involved introducing steroids to the area of pain, and then an electrical impulse is used to push it under the skin to the source of pain and inflammation. Active Therapy Opposite from passive, active therapy is the forms of therapy that involve a patient actively working to relieve pain and increase their mobility through stretches and back exercises. A physical therapist will work closely with you to develop a stretching routine that you can use everyday to loosen muscles and gain back some flexibility, such as simple hamstring stretches. The forms of exercise that are the most beneficial to back pain are mostly lumbar stabilization and low-impact aerobics. Walking, bicycling, swimming, and other forms of water therapy help develop muscles that will take pressure and stress off of the spine, while the specific exercises provided by a physical therapist directly strengthen the back. With active therapy working to give you long term changes that will help your back and overall well-being, and passive therapy working to alleviate acute pain as it is occurring, your physical therapist will be able to develop a program tailored to you and your back that will get you back to moving and pain free for the short-term and the...

There are many different types of pain, and while all are annoying or even debilitating, they are usually the sign of a larger problem. Especially in the parts of your body that you rely on the most for mobility, like your knees, a constant pain could mean something serious that needs to be treated as soon as possible to make sure that you aren’t affecting your ability to walk permanently. Where does it hurt? The first step toward deciding what knee pain could mean, is determining where exactly on the knee your pain is the most intense. The knee is usually divided in a simple, logical way: the front (kneecap), the inside, the outside (usually referring to the lateral sides of your knee), and the back of the knee. It’s also important to note whether there is any swelling and when your knee hurts the most. Knee pain that is usually present in the morning, but fades throughout the day could be a sign of early arthritis, while pain that is present during certain activities is usually indicative of injury. Some common causes Pain inside the knee is usually the result of MCL injuries. Persistent pain on the back of the knee usually means the formation of a “Baker’s cyst”. Tendonitis, or the swelling of the tendons is the most common cause of pain on the sides of the knee, and pain in the front usually means a problem with your kneecap such as a partial dislocation. Almost all of these sites of pain can also be a sign of more serious injury or the beginning of arthritis. If you have been experiencing consistent knee pain, seek the help of a medical professional such as a doctor or physical therapist as soon as...

Physiotherapy is therapeutic treatment and exercise programs, developed by your highly trained physical therapist that will help to increase mobility, strength, and general well being. Physiotherapy is particularly helpful for anyone who has suffered a major trauma, disorder, or surgery that has affected their range of motion. A physiotherapist will work with you to get as much of your previous ability back as possible while also strengthening your body and improving your overall health. What Does Physiotherapy entail? Physiotherapy doesn’t just look at one problem; it considers you as a whole person. Everything from your diet, current exercise routines, pain you might be suffering from, and chronic illness are all taken into consideration when developing your specific physiotherapy treatment plan. Physiotherapy also has considerable psychological benefits, helping people to feel empowered and more ready to take on stress and anxiety. Your therapist will work to combine engaging, challenging, strength-building exercises with the latest methods in relaxation and progressive healing techniques to help you overcome any obstacle. Who Can Benefit From Physiotherapy? Anyone can take advantage of the great benefits physiotherapy has to offer. From children to seniors, it is never too early or too late to start. If you are experiencing pain, suffering from a long-term condition, or want to improve your overall health, schedule a consultation with a physiotherapist...

Physical Therapy and Healthy Living Physical therapy isn’t just about recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. It’s also about improving your overall quality of life. Physical therapists are trained to work with patients who have lost certain functions, getting them back to a good level of mobility, strength, and endurance, but the work shouldn’t stop there. Physical therapy is a great opportunity to start living better all around, getting back what you might have lost and then some. Improving Overall Health A large part of physical therapy is exercise based. A physical therapist will know what exercises are appropriate for you body and your condition, but to compliment this program of exercise and keep you body in great working condition there are simple things you can do at home. Stopping dangerous habits such as smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine is a great place to start. From there, you can also begin to improve your overall diet. Choosing fruits and vegetables over almost any type of snack or junk food is a great way to improve your health almost instantly. Sleep is also an important thing that many people don’t’ get enough of. If you are in recovery from a traumatic injury or surgery, getting plenty of rest is important to your healing process. Don’t over exert yourself in your daily life either; being at less than 100% can cause unnecessary stress while trying to complete daily tasks. Remember to breathe and take your time when dealing with these pressures. The Best Recovery Possible Taking simple steps like these at home to lessen stress and improve your diet is the best thing you can do to help get the most out of the work you will perform with your physical therapist. Don’t think of physical therapy as a way to get back to where you were, but a great reason to improve every aspect of your life from now...